We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karen Ramirez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karen below.

Alright, Karen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry

In the nail industry, trends happen very often. Aside seasons and holidays, trends change from colors, patterns, sizes, shapes and shades. You can never keep up, I love it! Now in day, the most trendy nailart is french nails. It can be as simple as one color, or very detailed art within art. Among french, is neon colors especially through the summer. I have also noticed nail shape. I recall one month I had the majority of my girls ask for coffin or balerina. Like why!? Lol I will do it all…they do say “the client is always right.” No nailart trend in this industry will ever top christmas though! Its my fa-fa-favoritee!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Hey girl hey! I am Karen, I am 30 years old and I am a nailtech in Phoenix Az.

I became a small business owner when Covid was on full effect. The closure of nail salons had me on edge “How are they gonna do us like this?” I said. I was those girls at the nail salon every- single- check.

At that time summer of 2020, i wasnt doing too good financially. Working 10hours a day, picking up all the overtime I could. It wasnt until the first stimulus check went out that I visioned it all. I was either gonna pay off credit card debt or trust myself and allow God to take the wheel. “Whatever God wants to happen, will happen.” So i used that whole stimmy check and invested in all my equipment.

I doubted myself so so much. The lack of confidence had me STRESSINNNNG. Little did I imagine what was to come. I began doing my immediate family’s nails, then friends, then their families and their friends. Few months in, I found myself booked for weeks ahead. I could not believe it.

I was scared though. Changes overall stress me out…the “what ifs” had me sleepless some days. I used to
compare myself to professionals only to realize this isnt a competition. This is a passion, a vision, MY story. I never really thought of my differences from other techs, I just knew I had to trust my work. My clientele and my content would do the talking, so my thing was to focus on improving and push.

2.5 years later, here I am, borderline quitting my fulltime job to take care of my small business 24/7. All I had to do is believe in me. Allow God to guide me and let it be.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

My only advice is STAY CONSISTENT. Post everything on your platforms. You will be able to see your growth along with your audience. The more time you invest and show the public, the more you build the trust. They want to see what youre doing. It does not have to be your day to day but the more you post, the more familiar you get on social media. Repost your work if needed, to keep that constant reminder to the public eye of your services. Social media is powerful and could be used to many advantages, just know… someones watching. I do recommend to explore editing apps. Presentation can also boost the views, the reels, the potential, the volume.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Word of mouth. Your clientele will do about 25% of the work. (Posting, tagging, reffering) I advice anyone who struggles with booked appointments to create a friend referral program. I personally do 10% off your total to the individual who did the referring and to the one who got referred. Wear your work, represent it. There is always that stranger that will ask “can I see your nails” Or compliments you. That right there, is already a potential client. Its as simple as grabbing coffee or taking a snap to post, you are basically selling your business as you wear it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @_Nailskm
• Facebook: @Nailskm